AIBU to think going on holiday to Butlins will be just fine???

[Abneyandteal19]

Have two boys DS1 is 3.5 will start school in Sept, DS1 is almost 18months.

Can't afford an abroad holiday but DH and I have a week off work in June. It's the last time we could do a 'term time' holiday before DS1 starts school.

Looked up Butlins and looks amazing for kids- Bognor one, band new pool opening in April, free fairground rides, Teletubbjes and Paddinton bear shows which they are both into, loads of pre schooler activities for reasonable money,

Plan to stay in one of the hotels (Shoreline?) and get the meal package as we have previously done center Parcs and I just ended up cooking the exact same meals we eat at home!!

I think it will be ok and kids will love it.

DH had a much more middle class upbringing to me- I went camping/caravanning and he went to villas in Portugal etc!! He is not keen thinks it will be rough??

Anyone think that's its ideal for preschoolers? Term time and mid week avoid majority of teenagers/older kids being around?? Food looks fine- I'm ok with kids having chicken nuggets/fish fingers/pasta for 4 nights- not the end of the world??

AIBU to think they'll love it, it's within our budget, means no one has to cook and we'll be fine?? Anyone been recently? Any tips??

*Slowknitter

I'd rather stick pins in my eyes stay at home tbh. It's not that I'm snobby about cheap holidays - we don't go abroad often, and have done many UK camping holidays. But we like quiet sites, and keep ourselves to ourselves. Entertainments, kids clubs and loud cheesy stuff is my idea of absolute hell.*

YY. The thought of all the clubs and entertainment makes me shudder a bit. I HATE organised fun at the best of times. I think I’d need a lie down in a dark room after about 5 mins.

Yes, @Majorcomet is right about the electoral roll thing. There was a big thread about it at the time here;

Butlins break cancelled because "we aren't on the electoral roll" http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/generaladvicee_tips/3100436-butlins-break-cancelled-because-we-aren-t-on-the-electoral-roll

I do think it looked like it was mostly Irish names they were checking and cancelling though. I'm sure they can't check every single booking.

We've been before, only to the minehead one. It's very nice, but definitely no comparison to center Parcs. Completely different places, like comparing apples and oranges. I reckon your DH would be more at home with CP.

I think the issue here is the definition of "rough" differs per person.

To many people yes it will be rough, to others it will be bliss.

If this holiday is all about thr kids, then it doesn't matter, kids don't recognise rough. You say your husband is happy with it being all about the kids, but I'd say his reaction would indicate he would like it to be good for him as well as the kids.

The kids will love it
The other people can be, er interesting

I’m a massive snob, but will admit that my 1yo and 4yo had an amazing time at Butlins last year and at a reasonable price. We stayed in the Shoreline and it’s lovely, the kids loved all of it. Yeah, it’s not Center Parcs clientele for sure but try and forget your preconceptions and you’ll have fun. I’m the villa-in-Portugal-Center-Parcs one in my relationship, while my husband is the caravan/camping childhood one, so I was sceptical but we had a great time. I would go again.

I am also fairly snobby, but we did a tots break at Skegness a few years ago and it was fine. She absolutely loved it. Yes, the carpet in the main area was filthy, and it was certainly tired looking, but seeing the enjoyment she had made it worthwhile. She’s been clamouring to go back, and we’ve booked a weekend break soon as a surprise. It’s more expensive during term time, but I can’t wait to to see her face light up.

We did a few Butlins holidays when dcs were that age. It was fun, you just have to embrace it. They are at an age where holidays are hard work in a different location so if they are happy - it will make life easier for you. I was happy to be in a place I could drink wine and kids would be entertained. Best dining package was also fine - nice not to have to think about cooking and it's completely geared up for kids so I just found it all really easy.

I'm not sure it would ever be my first choice holiday but it definitely served a purpose for a few years and we've got lots of happy memories.

It's more relaxing being somewhere with plenty for the kids to do and where you're not having to tell them to quiet down or not splash the lady who's reading her book by the pool etc etc.

You're only as happy as your least happy child remember

Thank everyone- have showed DH this thread and he is a bit he has got over himself and said if the kids are happy and the foods good he is in!! We've splashed out an extra £18 for a balcony room so we can drink wine on it in the evenings!! Apparently they even have a spa.....

It's more relaxing being somewhere with plenty for the kids to do and where you're not having to tell them to quiet down or not splash the lady who's reading her book by the pool etc etc.

Yeah... but there are options other than grown up holidays in the sun where the lady wants to read her book, (which also sounds ghastly to me btw), and Butlins...

Mine are 4 & 1 and we’ve been on a few holidays with both of them and another few with the older one before the second was born. We have thusfar managed to avoid Butlins and a pool holiday abroad.

I’m sure some people find Butlins relaxing, but I can’t imagine liking it at all. I’d maybe try a day trip though, I just wouldn’t like to stay on site. We went to Bluestone in wales, which is like Butlins / Centre Park Lite, and even that I wasn’t keen on...

It’s nice your DH has “got over himself” op. I hope you have a nice time.

The kids will just love it!! And hopefully you will get good weather!! Just go and make the best of it!! It’s being with your family and quality time that counts!! Don’t forget to let us know how it was!!

You're only as happy as your least happy child remember

And what on Earth makes you think that Butlins is the only place a child will be happy ? Bloody weird.

We went for a few days last year, in that week between Christmas and New Year. We usually go to Centre Parcs (yes I know that sounds twatty, but it's true!!) and I was a bit worried about going.

I joined a Facebook group and the posts were amazing! Someone was really pissed off that their bottle of Pepsi had been stolen off their window sill

But we went and survived. The pool was cold and not the cleanest, but accommodation wasn't too bad tbh. I really didn't like the arcades etc. It was freezing when we went, so might be better in the summer?

Kids loved it of course.

We had a great time at Butlins last summer (once I got over my own middle class pretentiousness). It is fab for kids.

We went to bognor in October half term about 2 years ago. The DC loved it, still talk about it now and keep asking to go back. We stayed in a 'gold' chalet but it was pretty grim apart from the bedrooms and beds which were very comfortable. But the living room and kitchen were terrible, so we just didn't really use them. We did complain but only the cleaners could come and re clean but it needed a thorough deep clean and renovation (or just demolishing really). My DC enjoyed the pool, funfair, arcades. I just found it all a bit grotty, and im not usually overly prissy when it comes to holiday accommodation. Not only that, my parents used to take us to the Skegness Butlins as kids but it seemed a lot cleaner and more modern then.

I've taken ours camping, to Disney land, all inclusive in Spain, Italy villa, and butlins minehead. They both (8 and 7 )say butlins was the best holiday we have ever had. The big one has asked to go back for her birthday because she didn't get to do all the things she wanted last time- because there was SO MUCH to do.
I have agreed because it was so much fun to see them just enjoy 100% all day every day.

I'll admit that I'm with your dh and I found it a bit rough, and was alarmed at the majority of parents just openly boozing all day and night, and kids going home at midnighr- 1am . I'm a boring mum and took mine back to the apartment at 10 and missed the last show. But it was worth it. And we'll go whilst they are young enough to enjoy it. It's cheap and cheerful.

Let's face it with kids that age there's never gonna be a holiday for the adults, it's all about the kids

Of course it'll be rough.

Britain, innit

We went a few times when our kids were small - 9&11 now - and they loved it. So much for them to do, lovely family vibe.

'Rough'? What the feck does that mean?

i think the rough refers to the feral types 'get the fuck over 'ere now !' types who scream at their snotty nosed kids.

My DC are older teens now but they loved Butlins when they were younger

We stayed in Gold Apartments and had the meals in the Yaught Club (nice , no queuing, DC loved helping themselves to drinks and ice-cream, going up to the counter for food, making their own toast)

The activities were good all include except the Go Carts . They loved the funfair in the evening

The RedCoats were brilliant , one spent ages discussing Pokemon evolutions with my DS

I learned to spin plates (thank you Citrus Brothers) and was part of a Magic Show (got sawn in half) my poor DD was until I walked back to my seat unscathed .

We had a quiet swim time (Gold/Premier/Hotel) which was brilliant , nearly empty.

But if you go to Bognor town centre , if there's a toilet block behind Sommerfields don't go in there . You know the toilet in "Trainspotting" ? It looks like The Ritz in comparison.

Other than going for the day about 40 years ago, I haven't been on a butlins holiday since I went with a friend and her family about 35 years ago. We went to North Wales!
We have booked to go to Minehead for a weekend in July. It is not my husbands first choice, but my daughter has bern desperate to go since seeing the adverts. She will have just turned 8, so will enjoy the rides, pool and shows. The weekend is for her. It is different from our normal holidays, where we stay on a small site or rent a cottage somewhere, we are doing that in August, but only Monday to Friday, so the two trips add up to a week. As long as she enjoys it I don't mind.

Hope you have a great time. Ex red here from many many years ago, very old school
I think the kids will love it and you'll get a rest while their at their clubs.